Members of the Illinois Senate Republican Caucus gathered at the Illinois State Capitol on Thursday to unveil the 2025 Memorial Day Wall of Remembrance, a tribute to the brave men and women from Illinois who gave their lives in service to their nation.

Illinois Senate Republican Leader John Curran (R-Downers Grove) along with Senators Jason Plummer (R-Edwardsville), Craig Wilcox (R-McHenry), and Li Arellano Jr (R-Dixon) spoke at the ribbon cutting ceremony, kicking off the display inside the Capitol’s South Hall. Senators Plummer, Wilcox, and Arellano, all veterans themselves, joined colleagues in honoring their fellow servicemembers who made the ultimate sacrifice.

“The goal of this memorial is to honor the individual human being: the American, the Illinoisan, the man, the woman, the son, daughter, father, mother, brother, sister, spouse, or friend who answered the call of service with honor, courage, unselfishness, and who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our nation,” said Senator Curran. 

Located in the South Hall of the Capitol Rotunda, the digital Wall of Remembrance features a continuously looping display of photos and stories of fallen service members from across Illinois. It will remain on display for public viewing through Friday, June 6.

“We must always be grateful for those who have served, are serving and will serve our great nation. This ceremony holds personal significance for me,” said Senator Jason Plummer, a former lieutenant in the U.S. Navy Reserves. “Every name and photo on this wall represents a story of sacrifice. Honoring them in this way ensures their bravery is never forgotten.”

“This wall is a tribute to the brave men and women who gave their lives in service to our nation, and as we approach Memorial Day weekend, we must remember that this holiday is more than a long weekend to kick off the summer,” said Wilcox, a retired Colonel from the U.S. Air Force. “It is a sacred time to pause, remember, and reflect on the cost of our freedom and the stories of courage, sacrifice, and devotion. We must never forget the men and women who sacrificed their lives for their country and ensure their legacies live on in our hearts and actions.”

“As we commemorate Memorial Day, I ask you to join me in remembering and honoring our fallen brothers and sisters who gave everything so we may live in freedom,” said Senator Arellano, a current U.S. Army Reserves staff sergeant. “Whether you’re spending time with family, at a barbecue or marching in a local parade, I encourage you to take a quiet moment to reflect on the price of liberty. Freedom isn’t free.”

Since 2015, the Senate Republican Caucus has proudly hosted the Memorial Day Wall of Remembrance to ensure that the stories of Illinois’ fallen heroes are honored and remembered. The display is open to the public during normal Capitol hours, Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and Saturday through Sunday from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

The public is also invited to leave a personal message of thanks at the Remembrance Wall inside the Capitol. Together, these gestures ensure that Illinois’ fallen heroes are remembered with the dignity and gratitude they deserve.